UN Military Observer Mission-India-Pakistan: 1949-1996

Shortly after Britain had granted India and Pakistan their independence in 1948, war broke out
between the two new nations along the Kashmir border. After a year of bloody fighting, India and
Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire. The United Nations (UN) established the UN Military Observer Group in
India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to supervise the ceasefire agreement. During UNMOGIP's mission, open
hostilities have broken out several times between India and Pakistan.

Canada has participated in UNMOGIP from its inception. The size of UNMOGIP, as well as of the
Canadian contingent, has varied over the years. Until Canada ceased providing UNMOs (military
observers) in 1979, it provided about 10 of a total observer strength that averaged approximately 50.
Until 1996, Canada also provided air transport. A detachment based on three C-130 Hercules transports
was deployed annually to replenish supplies for the UN missions on both sides of the ceasefire line. On
17 July 1950, a Canadian officer, Brigadier-General H.H. Angle, was killed during sporadic fighting along
the India-Pakistan border. He was the first Canadian to be killed while participating in UN missions.